After Jefferson Parish President John Young said he wants to cancel the possible renewal of two contracts Tuesday, one Parish Councilman said Young was acting too hastily.

Jefferson Parish Councilman Elton Lagasse

Councilman Elton Lagasse said that Young shouldn't jeopardize the contract with Government Consultants of Louisiana, which helps manage the parish's bond rating. They've done good work and are trusted advisers when the government seeks to borrow money.

"Change for the sake of change, I don't know," Lagasse said.

He said he will propose that his colleagues extend that contract for at least one year - through 2012 - to allow the new council to assess the agreement when its members take office in January.

"At this time (next year) you could have five new people sitting there," he said, noting that only would be the case if he and Councilman Chris Roberts successfully run for the two parishwide seats on the panel this fall.

Young took issue Tuesday with the Government Consultants renewal as well as that of Sisung Investment Management Services, which gives investment advice to Jefferson's two public hospitals, East Jefferson General Hospital and West Jefferson Medical Center.

Both current contracts don't expire until later this year, yet the council is slated Wednesday to look at extending them well into 2013.

Young said he wanted to put an end to the practice of "evergreen" contracts, or those deals that are simply renewed rather than opened up to a competitive bidding process.

Lagasse said an open bidding process will more than likely result in a higher price for the services of Government Consultants or their replacement. He didn't have much to say about Sisung's agreement.